The Weight of the World

Chapter 19 - The Gryffindor Pensieve

Harry and Hermione showed Ron the article in the Daily Prophet and then explained to him the conversation that took place between them and Professor Dumbledore earlier. Ron handled it the same way that they had done, having a hard time standing by and accepting the fact that Fudge and Malfoy were driving Dumbledore out of the school. Neither Harry nor Hermione told Ron about the Pensieve. It wasn't that they didn't want him to know about it, but they were all so upset about being separated and Dumbledore being suspended, that it didn't cross their minds.

Meagan had a hard time with it as well. Hermione and Ron spent a long time trying to comfort her. They were both worried that she had already started to hate their world because of all of the bad things that had happened in just a matter of a single summer. Meagan assured them that she would be fine spending time with her mother and studying for the next year, if they had all in fact had to go away until the start of the school year. Hermione even suggested that she could go spend the summer at her house with she and her parents, but Meagan refused to leave her mother alone even though she knew she would be really busy planning lessons for the school year.

Later that night after dinner, they all stayed fairly quiet in the common room. Ron had a couple of ideas on how to get Dumbledore's and Harry's names cleared and one was that they find Lucius Malfoy, put the Imperius Curse on him, and get him to admit to Fudge that Voldemort is back and that he was helping him along with his Death Eater buddies. All of the ideas were quickly put down by Harry who kept reminding them all that Professor Dumbledore would figure out a plan that would bring everything back into the open. They all went to bed fairly early, but everyone had problems getting to sleep that night. Harry couldn't get his mind off of the Pensieve; Ron couldn't get his mind off of not seeing Meagan for two months until school started, and of course, Dumbledore not being there when he got back. Hermione was horribly worried about Harry and Dumbledore both.

With Dumbledore she knew that he would be fine on his own, but Harry didn't have any place to go but the Dursley's and she knew he wouldn't be going back there. She thought about him maybe going into hiding with Sirius. She thought about how nice it would have been for Harry to come and stay with her at her parent's house, but she knew that Dumbledore and Harry were right. It just wouldn't be safe if they got into danger. Meagan was worried about Harry, and concerned about Dumbledore, but for the most part, she was worried about her mother. Her mom had a hard time dealing with her father's death. Meagan did too, but she and her mom had been able to pull together and really support each other during the hard times after he was gone. When Dumbledore had called her mother to tell her that a spot had opened up at the school that she would be perfect for, it was an answer to both of their prayers. Her mother needed something like this teaching job to get her life moving forward again. Plus it was the right thing for her mother to do. Meagan was at an age that she really needed a male father figure to guide her, both in her life and with her magical skill. Professor Dumbledore had been this person for Meagan's mother when she had gone to school here, and her mother had hoped that he would be able to be that person for her as well. Now, for all of them, there were many more questions than answers.

The long night finally came to an end and the next morning they were all up early and had a good breakfast in the Great Hall. After breakfast, Meagan went into Hogsmeade with her mother to shop for classroom supplies and the other three went back to the common room. When they got there, both Harry and Hermione's mind went immediately to the Pensieve. Ron could tell that something was bothering them and when he asked them about it, Hermione was quick to answer.

"Dumbledore gave Harry a Pensieve yesterday Ron," she said.

"Dad has one of those. He uses it for stuff he needs to record after his raids at work" Ron said. "What's in it?"

"It's Godric Gryffindor's Pensieve," Harry said. "It's something Professor Dumbledore told me I needed to start visiting starting this morning."

"So, get after it! I want to see what you find in there,” Ron said.

Hermione did too.

She seemed to be more anxious than even Harry was. It wasn't that Harry wasn't ready to go explore the Pensieve; he was just still worried about the situation with the Ministry. Did Fudge really think he was involved in Draco's death? What would they do if Lucius made him believe that he somehow was responsible? Is it possible he'd be sent to Azkaban for something he didn't do? He was tired of thinking about it. He went back to what he had been thinking and saying yesterday. Professor Dumbledore will make it right. He would make sure that everything was okay. He always did.

"Go get it and bring it back here Harry,” Hermione said to him pulling him away from his thoughts.

"Yeah Harry, maybe we can see what's going on in there while you're looking at it,” Ron said.

Harry took a deep breath and then got up and slowly walked up the stairs to his trunk. He opened his trunk with his wand and then picked up the box containing the Pensieve and took it downstairs. He placed it on the table and stared at the silvery liquid-like substance that was swirling in the Pensieve.

"Here goes nothing,” Harry said after he took a deep breath.

He looked at Ron and Hermione then kneeled down to the Pensieve and slowly placed his face close to the top of the container to sort of peek inside. He then leaned in a bit more, as though to get a closer look, and touched the surface of the liquid with his hand while touching the container at the same time. Ron and Hermione watched as Harry did this, and then almost jumped out of their seats when they both saw one of the brightest lights they had ever seen being emitted from the Pensieve. Both of them shielded the light from their eyes, and when they brought their hands down from their eyes, both Harry and the Pensieve, were nowhere to be found.

"Is he supposed to just disappear like that?" Hermione asked Ron.

"I don't think so. Usually Dad just kind of falls into it and I can see him down inside of it when he's looking at one of the thoughts,” Ron said.

"Should we go get Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.

"I'll go get him. You wait here in case he comes back,” Ron said.

Harry didn't think anything was wrong yet, but he knew right away that this Pensieve was different from the one he had visited in Dumbledore's office. He found himself standing alone in a room that wasn't too unlike one of the many classrooms in Hogwarts. It was pretty plain with stone walls, a stone ceiling and a stone floor. The longer he looked at it the more convinced he was that he was still at Hogwarts. In fact knew how to know for sure. He walked over to a small window in the room he was in to find out. As he looked out the window he knew right away that he was still on the grounds of the castle, but something was. different. It took him a while before he noticed that he was overlooking an area that did look familiar, but oddly different at the same time. Where the Whomping Willow should be, there was nothing but a grass field, and where Hagrid's cabin should stand, there was nothing there but a clear opened entrance to the Forbidden Forest. He now knew he was at Hogwarts, so it wasn't a matter of where now, but when. It was clear to him that he must be at his school only hundreds, maybe even thousands of years before he was even born.

Harry heard the door open behind him and he saw a tall and sort of lanky older wizard that had a long beard that resembled Professor Dumbledore's. His eyes were very green and Harry saw the resemblance right away and knew that he was now face to face with Godric Gryffindor. But this didn't seem to be a memory. At least Harry didn't think it was right away. Godric was staring right at him and he was smiling. Harry had always been really confused in these things. Even when he visited Tom Riddle's diary at first, he wasn't sure whether what he was seeing was real.

"Hello Sir," Harry said waiting to feel foolish when the person didn't answer him.

"Hello, Harry Potter. It's nice to finally meet you at last. My name is Godric Gryffindor."

Harry's eyes widened. He walked towards the man who had his hand extended as if to present a handshake. He was reluctant at first not knowing if the man were real or not, but his question was answered immediately when he felt the man's hand in his, as they shook for a brief moment.

"Harry I assume you know why you are here," he said in a soft voice.

"Well, sort of sir. Professor Dumbledore explained some of it to me, but he just brought me the Pensieve yesterday and didn't really have time to explain it all. He is sort of in a bit of trouble," Harry said.

"Well Harry, not to worry, you are but the next in a long line of my descendants. Our blood line is one of the strongest and oldest there is Harry and I setup a means many years ago where the line of our knowledge and power could be passed down from one to another. We have been in constant battle with many dark wizards over this power, but we have always prevailed. It has always been this way. Good will always prevails over evil Harry, and we must always be confident of that."

Godric put his arm on Harry's shoulder.

"Let's go into different chambers Harry, we have much to discuss," he said.

Ron was running and almost ran into Professor Dumbledore just as he was walking from the entrance of his office.

"Professor!" Ron said as he was gasping for air. "Professor,it's Harry, the Pensieve sir."

"Mr. Weasley, please calm yourself,” Dumbledore said smiling.

"The Pensieve sir. Harry opened it and then he disappeared,” Ron said.

"Yes Ron, I had hoped he would get to it first thing this morning," Dumbledore said.

Ron looked up at him very puzzled. "So he was supposed to disappear sir?"

"Yes Ron, he will be in there for some time. Don't worry yourself.. he'll be just fine," he said.

Harry and Godric walked through the castle for a bit. It was the same castle, some of the artwork was different, but Harry recognized where he was. Everything looked a bit newer though. The bricks almost glimmered, the artwork was shiny with bright paint, and the smell was different, but it was definitely Hogwarts. Harry was expecting them to travel to where the Headmaster's Office usually was, but was surprised when they entered a small classroom that had several tables and chairs within it and a large table at the front.

"Harry, please sit down. There are some things I would like to discuss with you."

Harry sat down at the first table in a row right beside the door to the classroom. Godric took a seat directly in front of him where they were sitting face to face.

"Harry, I know that at your age, what you are about to receive will be an enormous burden for you. But I would like to assure you that what you have already experienced so early in life has already greatly prepared you for this responsibility. You have been faced with many challenges and have already proven your brilliance and your bravery. You have also already discovered that one dark wizard, no matter how powerful they become individually, is nothing compared to a group of wizards linked under a common goal of good. When we began this school Harry, we wanted nothing more than to create a common environment of fellowship and learning. As you already know Harry, friendships created here at school are very powerful and you will continue to learn this and be awe inspired by these powerful bonds."

"Sir, what happens to me when I receive this?" Harry asked.

"Harry, do not fear yourself. Never doubt yourself. The confidence in yourself and your friends and loved ones is what created this power in the first place. It's always lived in you, and your blood. You mother is proof of this. She continues to be a powerful force in your life even though she has not been of your world for many years. But it is now time Harry. It will all become clearer very shortly. Harry, hold out your wand please," he said.

Harry frowned still very much confused but took his wand out anyway and held it in his hand out in front of him.

Godric smiled at him and touched his finger to the tip of Harry's wand.

"Adnecto!" he said.

Harry saw a light emitted from the tip of his wand and immediately felt it begin to warm and feel tingly under his grip.

"Transfundo praepotens," were the next words Harry heard and then he suddenly saw everything go black.

It was very peaceful. It was almost like Harry was floating in an air-tight room. There was no sound at all and because it was so dark, he couldn't even tell if he had his eyes open or closed. But he knew he was conscious. He was very aware that something was happening. Harry began to hear a muffled humming sound and the dark room began to slowly lighten, sort of the same way the night does during the short moments before sunrise, when there isn't any real color and hardly any light, but one can still feel the presence of the sun coming. The darkness and the absolute silence almost lulled him into a trance, and just when he realized how relaxed he had become, it was all replaced by a loud sound resembling rushing water. The sound increased slowly until it seemed like he was directly under a waterfall. The light had changed too; it was now a large flashing collage of colors rushing past his face and eyes. He was starting to feel dizzy from it and tightly closed his eyes, but he could still see them. He put his hands over his face covering his eyes, but it was the same thing. It was almost like the visions and sounds he was hearing were inside of him, sort of like hallucinations, although Harry couldn't honestly say what those were like since he had never had them. His dizziness subsided however, and the sounds and visions began to slowly come into focus.

The sounds were voices, and the visions were people and places flashing by him almost like a movie in ultimate fast forward. It was almost unexplainable. Harry was seeing things-- places, people, events that happened who knows how many years ago. It was going by so fast. He caught a glimpse of a small girl running and screaming as she was being chased by a hooded wizard on a horse. Then he saw a flash and another quick vision of a group of wizards gathered around a fire while another hovered above the fire and talked to them in a deep voice with a strange language. He saw another vision of a duel between two very powerful looking wizards followed by events of war where he saw some of the most violent magic he had ever seen involving hundreds of wizards being blown apart with massive spells. He saw armies of wizards during obvious times of war performing calculated and perfectly timed spells that sometimes looked like protection spells of sorts, and sometimes attack spells that would blast through the other armies. Most were using spells that Harry had never heard or seen before. This had to be some of the old magic that he had heard both Dumbledore and Voldemort talk about. These visions kept blazing by, the sounds, the sights and even the smells; he was conscious of them all.

The voices were so loud and there were so many that it sounded like the loud mixed up chatter last year at the Quidditch World Cup amongst the thousands of wizards that had attended. But this was different, because Harry could somehow understand every word that was being said and he somehow knew what was going on in every situation even though it was flashing by, appearing as though he were on the Hogwarts Express going a thousand times its normal speed while staring out the window at the scenery. His mind was making sense of what his eyes and his ears were unable to process properly. Harry became hardly aware of himself; he concentrated only on the experience, almost like he were a part of it all, or, that it was all a part of him.

He saw a group of wizards gathered around a small table in an old pub drawing plans for what looked like the Hogwarts castle. He then saw hundreds of wizards magically moving stones and building what Harry saw quickly become the castle that he had been standing in only a few minutes before. He saw the four founders standing in front of what Harry somehow knew was the first student body ever to attend Hogwarts. He saw many years of different students and the classes that were taught there by the four of them. He felt the friction in its beginning stages between Salazar Slytherin and the other three founders. He saw the eventual breakup of the group and final words that Salazar had with Godric and the others: "You will be proven wrong," he could hear those words lingering in his ears.

The events continued for a while and Harry had no sense of himself the entire time. He didn't feel hungry, tired, or thirsty; he didn't even feel the need to blink his eyes. He was just there and was soaking up everything that was being thrown at him. It wasn't long before the events began to slow down, and he found himself back in the chair with Godric Gryffindor staring at him smiling. Harry still had his wand out in front of him and he slowly pulled it back and then slipped it into his pocket never taking his eyes off of Godric.

Suddenly he had become aware of himself again; his heart beating, his hands that seemed to be shaking a bit, and the beads of sweat that were forming on his forehead. He took a slow deep breath and exhaled it then looked down at the desk he was sitting at, but not really looking at it, more like through it. He wasn't looking at anything in particular, just trying to get all of his wits back and stop his head from racing.

"It's a bit overwhelming Harry, but don't worry. The clouds will disappear and you'll know," he said.

"Know what?" Harry asked him quietly.

"You'll know what you've just been given," he said.

Harry's eyes danced around looking at nothing in particular before he looked back up at Godric.

"And what is it that I was just given sir?" he asked in a trembling voice.

"Knowledge Harry. The knowledge of your birthright. You feel very confused now Harry, it's natural. It will take you a while before you will realize it. It's like awaking from an intense dream and trying to remember all of the details dealing with what you were dreaming about. Except this will come to you, clearer and clearer every day, but don't worry because it will all come to you in the end," he said.

Godric then stood up causing Harry to do the same. He presented his hand and Harry looked at it for a second, blinked a few times, then shook it.

"You are very strong Harry. Stronger that you know perhaps, and you will build on this strength as the years go on. Your friends will feed on your strengths and your enemies will begin to fear it. Go now Harry, we are finished here and you will need some rest. Spend time with yourself Harry; really get to know yourself and your limits. I am very proud of what you have accomplished so far. Take care of yourself."

Harry wanted to say something but he was at a loss for words. He could only force a nod. After he let go of Godric's hand he found himself lying in his bed in the dorm room. He looked across and didn't see Ron so he assumed that it had to be late afternoon because he could tell that the sun was just going down. His mind was exceptionally full of different thoughts and different people and places. His head almost hurt from it. He got up and was a bit shaky when he put his feet on the floor. He held on to one of this bed posts until he felt a bit more stable, he then went into the bathroom and splashed his face with some cold water after he had removed his glasses. When he put them back on he stared at himself in the mirror. He could tell that something was different about him, he couldn't put his finger on it, but something was definitely different.